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He attended Will C. Wood High School in Vacaville, California and Cosumnes River College in Sacramento. He was selected by Atlanta in the 17th round of the 1993 amateur draft. Dye made his Major League debut with the Braves, hitting a home run in his first Major League at-bat. He was traded to the Royals during the 1997 offseason in a package that brought Michael Tucker and Keith Lockhart to Atlanta.

He was traded to Kansas City on March 27, 1997. In 1999 Dye played in 158 games for the Royals, hitting 26 home runs. He was one of the more well-liked Royals at that time, with fans frequently chanting "Dye-no-mite" after he came up to bat. The next year he made the American League All-Star team. In 2001 Dye was traded to Oakland as part of a three-way deal in which the Royals received Neifi Pérez.

Prior to the 2005 season, Dye was signed by the Chicago White Sox to a two-year, $10.15 million free-agent contract with an option for 2007.[1]

He played 145 games in 2005, the most since his injury, including an appearance at first base and shortstop. He batted .274 with 31 home runs, slugged .512 and stole 11 bases in regular season play, and was named World SeriesMVP, batting .438 with one home run and three RBIs. His RBI single off Houston AstroscloserBrad Lidge provided the deciding run in Chicago's 1-0 Game 4 victory, clinching the Series sweep

2006 proved to be his best offensive season; he finished second in the league with 44 home runs, third in slugging at .622, fifth in runs batted in with 120, batted .315, and placed fifth in AL Most Valuable Player voting.[6] On Mother's Day, May 14, Dye was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. Dye was selected to the American League All-Star Team for the second time in his career after a scorching first half in which he batted .318, struck 25 home runs and slugged .646. Dye was awarded a Silver Slugger for his offensive performance.

On October 30, 2006, the White Sox exercised their $6.75 million option for Dye's 2007 season.[7]

Dye, along with many other Chicago hitters, struggled in the first half of 2007, including a cold June in which he batted just .203 with one home run. He turned his game around in the second half, batting .298 and knocking out 20 doubles and 16 home runs, and finished with a batting line of .254/.317/.486. He was signed to a two-year contract extension in August.

He returned to form in 2008 for the division champion White Sox, finishing second in the American League with 77 extra-base hits and batting .292 with 34 home runs overall. Dye finished second to Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria in Final Vote balloting for the last spot on the American League All-Star roster.

On November 6, 2009, Dye's $12 million mutual option was bought out for $950,000, making him a free agent.[8]